Check In, Help Out

Volunteer “vacations” focus on good deeds abroad

Trips with purpose:
A Globe Aware program

Lolling on a gorgeous beach with a piña colada in hand certainly has its appeal, but a surprising number of people prefer to spend their leisure time doing good deeds that leave a positive impact on the communities they visit. To serve this growing market, a handful of organizations specialize in organizing forays for volunteers who help local agencies provide much-needed services in areas such as health, education and ecology.

For example, the nonprofit, Dallas-based Globe Aware (214-823-0083; www.globeaware.com) runs volunteer trips — for individuals or groups of eight to 50 — to Brazil, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Cuba, India, Laos, Nepal and Vietnam. The firm arranges accommodations, food, ground transportation and medical insurance, and provides on-site coordinators fluent in the local language and culture, says Kimberly Haley-Coleman, executive director. Only airline reservations are left to the planner or individual participants. Program costs are tax-deductible.

Group volunteer activities generally take up about six hours per day, says Haley-Coleman, and the agenda leaves time for team building, sightseeing and highlights of the local culture.